CAMPAIGN HISTORY
PLANNING PERMISSION SUBMITTED
23/04/2021
Application for planning permission submitted to DCC by Castellum on behalf of Fornax Environmental Solutions Ltd. Many detailed documents submitted, including Planning Statement – overview of all aspects of planning requirements. All dated 27/4/21 on DCC planning portal.
LEAFLET DROP
01/05/2021
Beginning of the leaflet drop, sharing on FB, Teams Meetings with Councillor Lee.
APPLICATION ACKOWLEDGEMENT
05/05/2021
DCC acknowledgement of valid application.
NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION LIST
05/05/2021
Neighbour Notification List of “Neighbours Consulted Regarding Application” (long list of local businesses – unclear who composed it).
DCC PRESS NOTICE
13/05/2021
Press Notice issued by DCC – includes this application. Invites comments within next 30 days.
SITE NOTICE
14/05/2021
Site Notice issued by DCC.
FIRST OBJECTION
16/05/2021
The first objection, concerned about noise in School Aycliffe, was submitted - followed by others later.
NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION LIST
19/05/2021
Amended Neighbour Notification List – now includes several School Aycliffe addresses and Eastfield Farm (original didn’t, though the farm is within 700m of the site).
CONSULTATION PERIOD REQUESTED
21/04/2021
Residents and GATC request proper consultation period, to include meeting with local residents.
CONSULTEE COMMENTS
21/04/2021
Consultee comments from HSE; Highways England; Natural England; Teesside International Airport; Environment Agency; Network Rail; LLFA (re drainage); Darlington Borough Council; Archaeology; Northumbrian Water; Environmental Health; Landscape; Great Aycliffe Town Council; Sustainable Development and Energy; Spacial Policy; National Air Traffic Services.
GROUP SETUP
24/05/2021
Following a chance reading of a Facebook post about the incinerator plan, E Brewis and H Longley set up the Heighington Lane Incineration Plant Information Group.
COUNCILLOR K ROBSON
27/05/2021
Councillor K Robson requests “call in” for case to be heard by Committee.
FORNAX FAQS
16/05/2021
List Of Frequently Asked Questions prepared by Fornax released on their website.
FORNAX MEETING
15/06/2021
Online meetings for residents with Fornax representatives is organised by Paul Howell MP and Cllr Lee.
UPDATED PETITION
17/06/2021
Updated Petition signed by 497 residents, asking DCC not to approve the application.
PRESS NOTICE
12/08/2021
Press Notice from DCC allowing 30 days for representations on Further Environmental Statement.
AMEND NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION LIST
03/09/2021
Updated Neighbour Notification List.
RESIDENTS' REPORT
07/09/2021
Residents Report submitted.
COMMITTEE REPORT
30/11/2021
Committee Report is published to local councillors, recommending that planning permission be granted.
APPLICATION HEARING
06/12/2021
The application hearing proceeds at County Hall.
DECISION
17/12/2021
A decision is made. It's not in line with DCC's planned use for the land and is therefore refused.
APPEAL STARTED
03/02/2022
Appeal is notified - Fornax request an inquiry.
PUBLIC INQUIRY DATE
22/02/2022
Planning Inspectorate notify of the appeal start and Public Inquiry opening date - 28th June 2022.
RULE 6 PARTY
01/03/2022
Residents Group granted Rule 6 Party status.
RE-INQUIRY
09/06/2022
A Press Notice re-inquiry. Invites participation.
EVIDENCE IS COLLECTED
10/06/2022
Residents Group statement of case and evidential documents.
INQUIRY
28/06/2022 - 30/06/2022
The inquiry is taken and discussed to reach a decision.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
29/06/2022
Closing submissions online
A DECISION IS MADE
05/12/2022
Inquiry decision. Appeal allowed. Scheme would comply with the DCC Development Plan and accord with national policy. No material reasons why the appeal should be determined other than in accordance with Development Plan.
PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTED
March 2025
Fornax (North East) Ltd submit application for an environmental permit.
EA CONSULTATION OPENED
16/05/2025
Environment Agency (EA) open the consultation to the public, with closing date of 27/6/25 (later extended, see below).
FACEBOOK GROUP UPDATED
21/05/2025
Heighington Lane Incinerator Information Facebook page updated with link to the consultation details.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
28/05/2025
Great Aycliffe Town Council (GATC) considered the application at their Environment Committee meeting, deciding to respond to the consultation by registering their objections.
HEIGHINGTON VILLAGE HALL
29/05/2025
Councillor Gerald Lee arranged a meeting with the EA at Heighington Village Hall, to allow the public to find out about the permitting process and ask questions.
LEAFLET DROP
June 2025
Thousands of leaflets dropped to raise awareness of the campaign.
GROUP MEMBERS
03/06/2025
Facebook group members reached 1000.
MP ENGAGEMENT
06/06/2025
Alan Strickland MP heard concerns at a surgery meeting and followed up with a letter to constituents encouraging engagement with the consultation. Lola McEvoy MP did likewise for her constituents.
NEWTON NEWS
06/06/2025
Newton News article about the consultation.
NORTHERN ECHO
07/06/2025
Northern Echo article about the consultation.
GROUP MEMBERS
11/06/2025
Facebook group members reach 2000.
BBC NEWS
12/06/2025
BBC News article published
MEETING CANCELLED
12/06/2025
EA notify cancellation of Heighington Village Hall meeting due to concern over numbers attending. Negotiations take place between EA and the Focus Group for a further meeting. EA extends consultation deadline to 4/7/25.
WASTE TYPES
13/06/2025
Further article in the Northern Echo about types of waste to be incinerated.
AYCLIFFE RADIO
15/06/2025
Three Focus Group members appear on Aycliffe Radio’s Around Town programme.
THE DURHAM VLOGGER
16/06/2025
The Durham Vlogger visits the area and its people, for article on his site.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
June 2025
GATC Environment Committee decide to invite Fornax CEO Ian Jones to attend their next meeting 9/7/25, and invite members of the public to register to attend, submitting questions in advance by midday 2/7/25.